Nearly half of Africans with Diabetes are undiagnosed – WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an alarming rise in diabetes cases across Africa, urging governments at all levels to take urgent and sustained action to prevent what it described as a looming public health crisis.

In a statement to mark World Diabetes Day 2025, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said the continent is facing an unprecedented increase in diabetes, driven largely by lifestyle changes, poor nutrition, and limited access to quality healthcare.

He explained that the 2025 theme, “Diabetes Across Life Stages,” underscores that the disease affects people of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly, each requiring tailored prevention and management strategies.

According to WHO data, more than 24 million adults in the African Region between the ages of 20 and 79 are currently living with diabetes, a figure projected to reach 60 million by 2050.

Even more concerning, nearly half of these cases remain undiagnosed, putting millions at risk of severe complications and early death.

“If this trend continues unchecked, it could overwhelm health systems, strain national economies, and reverse decades of development gains across the continent,” Dr. Janabi warned.

He stressed the importance of building stronger health systems that offer continuous care, from prevention and early diagnosis to long-term treatment and support.

Dr. Janabi recalled that in 2024, African Member States endorsed the Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in Africa, reaffirming their commitment to equitable and comprehensive diabetes care.

Under this initiative, countries such as Ghana and Uganda have begun integrating diabetes and cardiovascular services into their primary healthcare systems.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts through the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (WHO PEN), now operational in 31 countries, and PEN-Plus, active in 20 countries, both designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality diabetes care.

According to the WHO, early detection and lifestyle adjustments such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and adherence to prescribed medications can delay diabetes progression for up to 15 years.

Dr. Janabi urged African governments to prioritize funding for noncommunicable diseases, strengthen healthcare governance, and integrate diabetes services into national health systems.

He further called for policies that promote healthy lifestyles and improve access to affordable insulin and diagnostic tools.

“Governments, health workers, civil society, and communities must unite to reverse the diabetes trend and promote environments that support healthy living,” he said.

He concluded by calling for renewed commitment across Africa to deliver effective care and support systems that enable people living with diabetes to lead healthy, dignified, and fulfilling lives.

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